First of all, I am 76 years old and I admit that growing up isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. I believe the whole process is overrated.  When we’re five we can’t wait to be ten.  When we’re ten we want to be 21.  When we’re 21 we want to be 50. When we’re in our seventies we begin to dream of being five again.  Even as we grow old, we can continue to dream about what we will finally be when we grow up.

For example, most of us have experienced a lot of different things through our journey.  Some have been exciting, while others have been mind bending and heart breaking.  When I was in high school, the doors were beginning to open for women in the workplace.  No longer were we restricted to nursing, secretarial work, housekeeping or stay at home mom. I wanted to be a brain surgeon.  The fact that I wasn’t proficient in math and science kept that from happening.

As I got closer to making a decision about university vs. technical college, the cost of university was the deciding factor.  I studied shorthand and other business skills, including my passion for writing.  There was an educational television station connected to the school.  I wrote copy for programming which in turn set my mind spinning on writing for a living.  Some college classes in creative writing and journalism were added to my evenings, keeping thoughts of new occupations alive.

In my life I’ve been a stenographer (who couldn’t read her own shorthand,) a loan processor, an office manager, a temp in a number of jobs.  I became a wife, a mother, a housekeeper, diaper changer, business manager and chief cook and bottle washer  I’ve been a waitress, a drama coach, a dialect coach, a playwright, a puppet maker, costumer, director, actor, teacher and helped my husband as he started new business ventures.

In my latter years, I’ve gone back to doing the things I love.  My writing has become a passion as I continue writing this blog.  I’ve been in the process of writing a novel for some time.  I’ve written a couple of screen plays.  I have difficulty with rejection, so most of what I’ve written has never been published.

No matter where life takes us, if we just sit and watch it go by, we will soon lose our zest for living.  I’ve seen many of my friends grow old physically when the retire.  For me it’s an opportunity to keep doing what I love to do.  I’ve taken to writing poetry.  I still like to direct.  I’ve recently returned to the stage.  I keep on keeping on.

So what do I want to be when I grow up?  First, I hope I never do grow up.  I hope I will continue to learn more about God and His direction for my life.  I’ve given serious thought to becoming a stand up comic.  My only issue is that I’d have to sit down to do it.

Whatever you do with your life, be sure to learn from all of it.  We have but a short time to make a mark on this world.  It doesn’t have to occupy half of the planet. Just a small mark will do.  On the way, be sure to tell others about the love available to them from Jesus.  He has a perfect plan for our lives today and in the future – even after we die.